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Carb Counting

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P

Persil

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi all!

Had my hospital appointment today, and I'm finally gonna get on a carb counting course! I'm so happy!! I've been told it should be within the next couple of months, which isn't too long to wait at all either. When I was under a different hospital, the wait was about 8 months or something. Was wondering what everyone else thought of their carb counting course. Also, has anyone done there's at the Norfolk and Norwich, as that's where I'll be doing mine.

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
Congratulations...................

All I can say is the things you will learn on this course will change everything for you with regards your diabetes management............

you will never look back..............

I done DAFNE and it literally changed my life..............😱
 
That is great, I think they should be compulsory for all diabetics.
 
Great news Persil,get all you can from it x good luck
 
rachelha said:
That is great, I think they should be compulsory for all diabetics.
Click to expand...

Agree most (if not all) diabetics would benefit from learning to carb count- so am pleased to hear your news🙂

However... I do wonder sometimes why people wait to be sent on a course? I have learnt all I know about carb counting from this forum and books etc - K's dietician mentioned it when she was dx, so I told DSN we wanted to do it after a couple of months and we started straight away- we went on a 'course' one afternoon (kids too) about a month later but had already worked out all the things discussed.
I know people really rate DAFNE but Im not sure what all the fuss is about? (Runs away and hides 😱)

Congtats on the course🙂
 
A very useful tool in diabetes management and one I wished was around 30 years ago, you've got to be prepared to put the work in as it doesn't come easy but is worth it when you see the improvements in bg control.
 
MeanMom said:
I know people really rate DAFNE but Im not sure what all the fuss is about? (Runs away and hides 😱)
Click to expand...

Lol.......................

There is not much fuss, the carb counting is a small part of the foundation of which DAFNE sits, there is a lot more than that in the course...........it stands for Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating...............and is catered for MDI patients 16 years plus...........

*Grins proudly...........:D*
 
Hi, I'm in the middle of a carb-counting course now, after being diabetic for 19 years.

I too agree they should be compulsory, and I believe some would also benefit from 'refresher' courses as 20 years later, you'd be amazed at some of the things you've forgotten and some of the things you've seemed to make up!

anyone on a MDI regime MUST attend one of these...I was put on MDIs when I was about 14, I never knew about the DAFNE course until about a year ago when I joined this site!

the other great thing from doing a course is meeting other diabetics as well - something I was totally lacking beforehand. If I could go back to my childhood, I'd make sure I mixed (or found!) other diabetic kids so i didn't spend the last 19 years pretending it didn't exist and feeling incredibly lonely (when it came to my diabetes).

so great news you're on one! and I really hope you enjoy it as much as I am :D
 
novorapidboi26 said:
Lol.......................

There is not much fuss, the carb counting is a small part of the foundation of which DAFNE sits, there is a lot more than that in the course...........it stands for Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating...............and is catered for MDI patients 16 years plus...........

*Grins proudly...........:D*
Click to expand...

So if there is more to it why is it not offered to under 16s and/or their parents? Loads of children are on MDI or pumping - and therefore have to carb count without the benefit of Lady Dafne (goes off to sulk on corner😛)
 
MeanMom said:
So if there is more to it why is it not offered to under 16s and/or their parents? Loads of children are on MDI or pumping - and therefore have to carb count without the benefit of Lady Dafne (goes off to sulk on corner😛)
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DAFNE uses the adult CP portion of 10grams, the course is not set up with the 15g juvenile standard..............

The course also goes into alcohol, sex etc............so probably is not suitable for under 16/18, I think there should be something like this for the younger folk.......

I suppose whenever the diabetic individual is ready to adjust there doses themselves and also carb count would be the best time to benefit form something like DAFNE, and I would say this can be long before the age of 16, its education that will allow management by themselves......

By the time K is at that age, you and her will have more skill and experience than the DAFNE could teach..............😉
 
DAFNE isn't designed for children and it hasn't got any think to do with CP portions either..

DAFNE is designed for empowerment the diabetic to take control of their own diabetes..

Most under 16 year olds still have a lot of managment input from a parent/carer, also they are still going through puberty which the shifty hormones causes all sorts of hasle.. Combined with the differential of understanding information and/or what there actual body is signaling them...

Carb counting was avaialble 30 years ago in a much cruder manner than the basal/bolus regime.. It was know has the 'exchange' system you injected twice a day, then you had 3 meals and 3 snack, each meal/sneak you ate a prescribed amount of carbs.. 10g=1 exchange.. You chose what carb you ate but you kept to your allowable exchanges for that meal/snack!

I started on the above, and when they said about it could be dropped in the late 90's and they just matched insulin to your normal meal.. I didn't drop it as such due to couldn't work out how did you know you got somethng rght if you didn't know the input!

So when I went on DAFNE in 2008 after a year on the waiting list, it's was for other information I went for not the carb counting side for it..
 
Ellie Jones said:
Carb counting was avaialble 30 years ago in a much cruder manner than the basal/bolus regime.. It was know has the 'exchange' system you injected twice a day, then you had 3 meals and 3 snack, each meal/sneak you ate a prescribed amount of carbs.. 10g=1 exchange.. You chose what carb you ate but you kept to your allowable exchanges for that meal/snack!
Click to expand...

That was me too!! I was on 'exchanges' and 2 injections a day from aged 10 until about 14/15.

I'm starting to think that was simpler!! lol
 
Ellie Jones said:
DAFNE isn't designed for children and it hasn't got any think to do with CP portions either..

DAFNE is designed for empowerment the diabetic to take control of their own diabetes..

Most under 16 year olds still have a lot of managment input from a parent/carer, also they are still going through puberty which the shifty hormones causes all sorts of hasle....
Click to expand...

Wasnt meaning the children should go on a course by themselves, but something for parents (with the child if age suitable) - we are expected to do the 'empowering' of our diabetic children and work out how to 'dose adjust for normal eating' AND deal with the 'hastle' without any courses to go on - so like I said I am glad that people are able to go on the course if they want/ need to but we just went ahead and did it ourselves - my point being if you want to carb count dont wait for DAFNE - you may have a long wait:D
 
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Persil said:
Hi all!

Had my hospital appointment today, and I'm finally gonna get on a carb counting course! I'm so happy!! I've been told it should be within the next couple of months, which isn't too long to wait at all either. When I was under a different hospital, the wait was about 8 months or something. Was wondering what everyone else thought of their carb counting course. Also, has anyone done there's at the Norfolk and Norwich, as that's where I'll be doing mine.

Vicki 🙂
xxx
Click to expand...

Yes to doing DAFNE in Norwich, my experience and it's the same for others I know locally, was excellent. Do you know yet who's doing your course? Other than what i learnt on the course another effect was that it really improved my relationship with the staff at the hospital and what I now get out of my appointments. Really pleased to hear you're going to be able to do it soon! If there's anything I can help with let me know.
 
aymes said:
Other than what i learnt on the course another effect was that it really improved my relationship with the staff at the hospital and what I now get out of my appointments.
Click to expand...

Really agree with this.

DAFNE is fantastic, It's a shame if people aren't interested in attending as I think everyone that goes on the course gets something out of it.

I would say that try and trust the DAFNE principles and give them a try for a decent period of time, but then don't be afraid to adapt them to meet your own needs.

an example of this for myself is DAFNE says that you don't really need to follow up a hypo with long acting carbs, for me there are some hypos the I know I need to do this.
 
Thanks for all the replies! It's clear you all rate your courses highly, so am really chuffed to finally be offered one! Really excited now!

And, Amy, I don't know as of yet who's doing the course. They're going to send me a letter all about it. Can't wait!!!! :D

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
sofaraway said:
an example of this for myself is DAFNE says that you don't really need to follow up a hypo with long acting carbs, for me there are some hypos the I know I need to do this.
Click to expand...

My dafne handbook doesn't say this, page 39 says that says ''However, once you are feeling better, you may consider taking an additional 1 or 2 CPs of slower-acting carbohydrates eg fruit, bread or breakfast cereal. This will keep your blood glucose level up until the next meal''. I remember clearly the course instructor also mentioning that the treatment of hypo's should include a slower-acting carb when bg returns to normal levels, the only exception to this rule is when you are within 1 hour of your next meal.
 
toby said:
My dafne handbook doesn't say this, page 39 says that says ''However, once you are feeling better, you may consider taking an additional 1 or 2 CPs of slower-acting carbohydrates eg fruit, bread or breakfast cereal. This will keep your blood glucose level up until the next meal''. I remember clearly the course instructor also mentioning that the treatment of hypo's should include a slower-acting carb when bg returns to normal levels, the only exception to this rule is when you are within 1 hour of your next meal.
Click to expand...

I can confirm this as well...................

I dont usually have a slower acting carb after treating, but I think this is because I see my hypos as always happening on the run up, or, within an hour of a meal, any other other times would be unexpected and less likely to happen under normal circumstances.........

An interesting PDF presentation from Carolin Taylor, a DSN, on the DAFNE Myths and Misconceptions can be found here, it was presented on the 10 June 2011.............🙂
 
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novorapidboi26 said:
I can confirm this as well...................

I dont usually have a slower acting carb after treating, but I think this is because I see my hypos as always happening on the run up, or, within an hour of a meal, any other other times would be unexpected and less likely to happen under normal circumstances.........

An interesting PDF presentation from Carolin Taylor, a DSN, on the DAFNE Myths and Misconceptions can be found here, it was presented on the 10 June 2011.............🙂
Click to expand...

Where's the link NRB?
 
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